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Suspect sought in Manchester shooting death remains at large; police offering reward for information

By Dean Shalhoup - Senior Staff Reporter | Feb 16, 2021

Manchester police image Police are searching for Timothy Johnson, 38, in connection with the shooting death of a Manchester man Saturday on Chestnut Street. Johnson is considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached. (Manchester police image)

MANCHESTER – State troopers and local police officers teamed up Monday for a day-long search near the Manchester-Londonderry line for Timothy Johnson, the 38-year-old suspect in the shooting death of another man Saturday in downtown Manchester.

Johnson, a fairly slight man at 5 feet, 9 inches and 135 pounds, was last seen at 8:39 a.m. Saturday in front of 351 Chestnut St., the same time that police and medical personnel were called to that location for a reported shooting.

Police said Johnson fled the scene and hasn’t been seen since. They believe he was traveling on foot, and police didn’t indicate whether he may have had access to a vehicle since that time.

Police on Sunday said they had requested, and were granted, a warrant for Johnson’s arrest on one count of second-degree murder.

It states he “knowingly caused” 67-year-old Jean Lascelle’s death “by shooting him with a firearm,” according to police.

Photo by JEFFREY HASTINGS Several Manchester police officers and state police troopers gather at a command post Monday to discuss the search for Timothy Johnson, who is wanted in connection with the shooting death of another Manchester man on Saturday. (Photo by JEFFREY HASTINGS)

Lascelle was found lying near a cement stairway outside the Chestnut Street building, which formerly served as Manchester police headquarters and, since December, has been used as a homeless shelter.

Medical personnel rushed Lascelle to the Elliot Hospital, but he was declared deceased a short time later.

An autopsy conducted Sunday by state medical examiner Dr. Derek S. Bumgarner determined that the cause of Lascelle’s death was a gunshot wound to the head, and that the manner of death was homicide, police said.

Investigators have asked the public for assistance in locating Johnson, saying he is presumed to be armed and dangerous and that he shouldn’t be approached if seen.

Anyone who thinks they see Johnson should call Manchester police at 668-8711 or leave an anonymous tip on the department’s Crimeline, 624-4040.

Photo by JEFFREY HASTINGS A Manchester police officer checks out a vehicle as part of the search on Monday for 38-year-old Timothy Johnson, who is wanted in connection with the shooting death on Saturday of a 67-year-old Manchester man. Johnson is considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached if spotted. (Photo by JEFFREY HASTINGS)

Police said police are offering a reward of up to $1,500 for information that leads to Johnson’s arrest.

Meanwhile, Monday’s manhunt got underway about 6:45 a.m., with officers and troopers spreading out near the Manchester-Londonderry border in the area of South Willow Street (Route 28), South Mammoth Road (Route 28A), and Huse and Sheffield roads.

A state police helicopter, equipped with thermal imaging cameras, flew over the area for several hours Monday.

The search team also included K9 units and the use of drones by some officers.

Police and the office of Deputy Attorney General Jane Young, who provided images of Johnson taken from video surveillance cameras, said he was last seen wearing a tan or light brown overcoat and a light-colored “watch cap,” a knit, wool winter cap often called a “toque.”

Photo by JEFFREY HASTINGS Heavily armed police officers are posted at the entrance to a mobile home community between Huse and South Mammoth roads near the Londonderry-Manchester line on Monday. Dozens of officers and state troopers are involved in the manhunt for Timothy Johnson, who is wanted in connection to the shooting death of a 67-year-old man on Saturday. (Photo by JEFFREY HASTINGS)

Johnson, who has a “distinct tattoo on the left side of his lower neck,” was last seen carrying a green, “molle-style” backpack, the type typically used by military and tactical personnel.

Dean Shalhoup may be reached at 594-1256 or dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com.

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